Laws, remedial, a fancied law, which | some believe in, who hold that God, in mercy to mankind, has abolished that rigorous constitution or law that they were under originally, and instead of it has introduced a more mild constitution, and put us under a new law, which requires no more than imperfect sincere obedience, in compliance with our poor infirm, impotent circumstances since the fall. I call this a fancied law, because it exists no where except in the imagination of those who hold it. See NEONOMIANS, and JUSTIFICATION.

Laws of nations, are those rules which by a tacit consent are agreed upon among all communities, at least among those who are reckoned the polite and humanized part of mankind. Gill's Body of Div. vol. i. p. 454, oct. 425, vol. iii. ditto; Paley's Mor. Phil. vol. i. p. 2; Cumberland's Law of Nature; Grove's Mor. Phil. vol. ii. p. 117. Booth's Death of Legal Hope; Inglish and Burder's Pieces on the Moral Law; Watt's Works, vol. i. ser. 49. 8vo. edition, and vol. ii. p. 443, &c. Scott's Essays.

Christians from early times to study chronology, sacred and secular; and here much knowledge of history, and some skill in astronomy, were needful. The New Testament, being written in Greek, caused Christians to apply themselves also to the study of that language. As the Christians were opposed by the Pagans and the Jews, they were excited to the study of Pagan and Jewish literature, in order to expose the absurdities of the Jewish traditions, the weakness of Paganism, and the imperfections and insufficiency of philosophy. The first fathers, till the third century, were generally Greek writers. In the third century the Latin language was much upon the decline, but the Christians preserved it from sinking into absolute barbarism. Monkery, indeed, produced many sad effects; but Providence here also brought good out of evil; for the monks were employed in the transcribing of books, and many valuable authors would have perished if it had not been for the monasteries. In the ninth century, the Saracens were very studious, and contributed much to the restoration of letters. But, whatever was good in the Mahometan reli- • gion, it is in no small measure indebted to Christianity for it, since Mahometanism is made up for the most part of Judaism and Christianity. If Christianity had been suppressed at its first appear

LAY-BROTHERS, among the Romanists, illiterate persons, who devote themselves at some convent to the service of the religious. They wear a different habit from that of the religious, but never enter into the choir, nor are present at the chapters; nor do they make any other vow than that of con-ance, it is extremely probable that the stancy and obedience.

LAYMAN, one who follows a secular employment, and is not in orders: opposed to a clergyman.

Latin and Greek tongues would have been lost in the revolution of empires, and the irruptions of barbarians in the east and in the west; for the old inhabitants would have had no conscientious and religious motives to keep up their language; and then, together with the Latin and Greek tongues, the knowledge of antiquities and the ancient writers would have been destroyed. To whom, then, are we indebted for the knowledge of antiquity, for every thing that is called philosophy, or the litera humaniores?

LEARNING, skill in any science, or that improvement of the mind which we gain by study, instruction, observation, &c. An attentive examination of ecclesiastical history will lead us to see how greatly learning is indebted to Christianity, and that Christianity, in its turn, has been much served by learning. "All the useful learning," says Dr. Jortin, "which is now to be found in the world, is in a great measure owing to the Gospel. The Christians, who had a great veneration for the Old Testament, have contributed more than the Jews themselves to secure and explain those books. The Christians in ancient times collected and preserved the Greek versions of the Scriptures, particularly the Septuagint, and trans-purposes?-to Christians. To whom for lated the originals into Latin. To Christians were due the old Hexapla; and in later times Christians have published the Polyglots and the Samaritan Pentateuch. It was the study of the Holy Scriptures which excited

to Christians. To whom for grammars and dictionaries of the learned languages?-to Christians. To whom for chronology, and the continuation of history through many centuries?-to Christians. To whom for rational systems of morality, and improvements in natural philosophy, and for the applications of these discoveries to religious

metaphysical researches, carried as far as the subject will permit?-to Christians. To whom for the moral rules to be observed by nations in war and peace?

to Christians. To whom for jurisprudence, and for political knowledge,

LECTURES BAMPTON, a course of eight sermons preached annually at the university of Oxford, set on foot by the Reverend John Bampton, canon of Salisbury. According to the directions in his will they are to be preached upon either of the following subjects:-To confirm and establish the Christian faith, and to confute all heretics and schismatics; upon the divine authority of the holy Scriptures; upon the authority of the writings of the primitive fathers, as to the faith and practice of the primitive church; upon the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; upon the divinity of the Holy Ghost; upon the articles of the Christian faith, as comprehended in the Apostles' and Nicene creeds. For the support of this lecture, he bequeathed his lands and estates to the chancellor, masters, and scholars of the University of Oxford for ever, upon trust that the vice

and for settling the rights of subjects, both civil and religious, upon a proper foundation?-to Christians. To whom for the reformation?-to Christians." "As religion hath been the chief preserver of erudition, so erudition hath not been ungrateful to her patroness, but hath contributed largely to the support of religion. The useful expositions of the Scriptures, the sober and sensible defences of revelation, the faithful representations of pure and undefiled Christianity; these have been the works of learned, judicious, and industrious men." Nothing, however, is more common than to hear the ignorant decry all human learning as entirely useless in religion; and what is still more remarkable, even some, who call themselves preachers, entertain the same sentiments. But to such we can only say what a judicious preacher observed upon a public occasion, that if all men had been as unlearned as them-chancellor for the time being take and selves, they never would have had a text on which to have displayed their ignorance. Dr Jortin's Sermons, vol. vii. charge 1; Mrs. H. More's Hints to a Young Princess, vol. i. p. 64; Cook's Miss. Ser. on Matt. vi. 3; Dr. Stennett's Ser. on Acts xxvi. 24. 25.

LECTURES, RELIGIOUS, are discourses or sermons delivered by ministers on any subject in theology. Beside lectures on the sabbath day, many think proper to preach on week days; sometimes at five in the morning, before people go to work, and at seven in the evening, after they have done. In London there is preaching almost every forenoon and evening in the week, at some place or other. It may be objected, however, against weekday preaching. that it has a tendency to take people from their business, and that the number of places open on a sabbath day supercedes the necessity of it. But in answer to this may it not be observed, 1. That people stand in need at all times of religious instruction, exhortation, and comfort?-2. That there is a probability of converting sinners then as well as at other times?3. That ministers are commanded to be instant in season and out of season? -And, 4. It gives ministers an opportunity of hearing one another, which is of great utility. After all, it must be remarked, that he who can hear the truth on a sabbath day does not act consistently to neglect his family or business to be always present at week-day lectures; nor is he altogether wise who has an opportunity of receiving instruction, yet altogether neglects it.

He

receive all the rents and profits there-
of; and, after all taxes, reparations,
and necessary deductions made, to pay
all the remainder to the endowment
of these divinity lecture sermons.
also directs in his will, that no person
shall be qualified to preach these lec-
tures unless he have taken the degree
of master of arts, at least in one of the
two universities of Oxford or Cam-
bridge, and that the same person shall
never preach the same sermon twice. A
number of excellent sermons preached
at this lecture are now before the public.
A more enlarged account of this lecture
may be seen in the Christian Observer
for May, 1809.

BOYLE'S.

See

LECTURES, BOYLE'S LECTURES. LECTURE MERCHANTS, a lecture set up in the year 1672 by the Presbyterians and Independents, to show their agreement among themselves, as well as to support the doctrines of the Reformation against the prevailing errors of Popery, Socinianism, and Infidelity. The principal ministers for learning and popularity were chosen as lecturers; such as Dr. Bates, Dr. Manton, Dr. Owen, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Collins, Jenkins, Mead, and afterwards Mr. Alsop, How, Cole, and others. It was encouraged and supported by some of the principal merchants and tradesmen of the city. Some misunderstanding taking place, the Presby terians removed to Salter's-hall, and the Independents remained at Pinner'shall, and each party filled up their numbers out of their respective denominations. This lecture is kept up

churches, &c. though with the leave and approbation of the bishop; such as that of Lady Moyer's at St. Paul's. But the lecturer is not entitled to the pulpit without the consent of the rector or vicar, who is possessed of the freehold of the church.

LEGAL or MOSAICK DISPENSATION. See DISPENSATION.

to the present day, and is, we believe, || stated day in the week. Where there now held at Broad-street Meeting every are lectures founded by the donations Tuesday morning. of pious persons, the lecturers are apLECTURES, MORNING, certain pointed by the founders, without any casuistical lectures, which were preach-interposition or consent of rectors of ed by some of the most able divines in London. The occasion of these lectures seems to be this: During the troublesome time of Charles I. most of the citizens having some near relation or friend in the army of the earl of Essex, so many bills were sent up to the pulpit every Lord's Day for their preservation, that the minister had neither time to read them, nor to recommend their LEGALIST, strictly speaking, is cases to God in prayer; it was, there- one who acts according to or consistent fore, agreed by some London divines with the law; but in general the term to separate an hour for this purpose is made use of to denote one who exevery morning, one half to be spent in pects salvation by his own works. We prayer, and the other in a suitable ex-may farther consider a legalist as one hortation to the people. When the heat of the war was over, it became a casuistical lecture, and was carried on till the restoration of Charles II. These sermons were afterwards published in several volumes quarto, under the title of the morning exercises. The authors were the most eminent preachers of the day: Mr. (afterwards archbishop) Tillotson was one of them. It appears that these lectures were held every morning for one month only; and from the preface to the volume, dated 1689, the time was afterwards contracted to a fortnight. Most of these were delivered at Cripplegate church, some at St. Giles's, and a volume against popery in Southwark. Mr. Neale observes, that this lecture was afterwards revived in a different form, and continued in his day. It was kept up long afterwards at several places in the summer, a week at each place; but latterly the time was exchanged for the evening. LECTURES, MOYER'S. See MOYER'S LECTURES.

who has no proper conviction of the evil of sin; who, although he pretends to abide by the law, yet has not a just idea of its spirituality and demands. He is ignorant of the grand scheme of salvation by free grace: proud of his own fancied righteousness, he submits not to the righteousness of God he derogates from the honour of Christ, by mixing his own works with his; and, in fact, denies the necessity of the work of the Spirit, by supposing that he has ability in himself to perform all those duties which God has required. Such is the character of the legalist; a character diametrically opposite to that of the true Christian, whose sentiment corresponds with that of the apostle, who justly observes, "By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. ii. 8. 9.

LEGATE, a cardinal, or bishop whom the pope sends as his ambassador to sovereign princes.

LECTURE WARBURTONIAN, LEGEND, originally a book, in the a lecture founded by bishop Warburton Romish church, containing the lessons to prove the truth of revealed religion that were to be read in divine service: in general, and the Christian in par-from hence the word was applied to the ticular, from the completion of the pro-histories of the lives of saints, because phecies in the Old and New Testament which relate to the Christian church, especially to the apostacy of papal Rome. To this foundation we owe the admirable discourses of Hurd, Halifax, Bagot, and many others.

LECTURERS, in the church of England, are an order of preachers distinct from the rector, vicar, and curate. They are chosen by the vestry, or chief inhabitants of the parish, supported by voluntary subscriptions and legacies, and are usually the afternoon preachers, and sometimes officiate on some

chapters were read out of them at matins; but as the golden legend, compiled by James de Varase, about the year 1290, contained in it several ridiculous and romantic stories, the word is now used by Protestants to signify any incredible

or inauthentic narrative. Hence, as Dr. Jortin observes, we have false legends concerning the miracles of Christ, of his apostles, and of ancient Christians; and the writers of these fables had, in all probability, as good natural abilities as the disciples of Christ, and some of them wanted

neither learning nor craft; and yet they betray themselves by faults against chronology, against history, against manners and customs, against morality, and against probability. A liar of this kind can never pass undiscovered; but an honest relater of truth and matter of fact is safe: he wants no artifice, and fears no examination.

Lent

such, of apostolical institution. Others
think that it was of ecclesiastical in-
stitution, and that it was variously ob
served in different churches, and grew
by degrees from a fast of forty hours to
a fast of forty days. This is the senti-
ment of Morton, bishop Taylor, Du
Moulin, Daille, and others. Anciently
the manner of observing Lent among
those who were piously disposed, was
to abstain from food till evening: their
only refreshment was a supper, and it
was indifferent whether it was flesh or
any other food, provided it was used
with sobriety and moderation.
was thought the proper time for exer-
cising more abundantly every species
of charity: thus what they spared of
their own bodies by abridging them of
a meal, was usually given to the poor:
they employed their vacant hours in
visiting the sick and those that were in
prison; in entertaining strangers, and
reconciling differences. The Imperial
laws forbade all prosecution of men in
criminal actions that might bring them
to corporal punishment and torture
during the whole season. This was a
time of more than ordinary strictness
and devotion, and therefore, in many
of the great churches, they had reli-
gious assemblies for prayer and preach-
ing every day. All public games and
stage plays were prohibited at this sea-
son, and also the celebration of all festi-
vals, birthdays, and marriages. The
Christians of the Greek church ob-
serve four Lents; the first commences
on the fifteenth of November: the se-
cond is the same with our Lent: the
third begins the week after Whitsun-
tide, and continues till the festival of St.
Peter and St. l'aul; and the fourth com-
mences on the first of August, and lasts
no longer that till the fifteenth. These
Lents are observed with great strict-
ness and austerity, but on Saturdays
and Sundays they indulge themselves in
drinking wine and using oil, which are
prohibited on other days.

LEGION, THEBIAN, a name given, in the time of Dioclesian, to a whole legion of Christians, consisting of more than six thousand men, who were said to have suffered martyrdom by the order of Maximian. Though this story had never wanted patrons, yet it is disbelieved by many. Dr. Jortin, in his usual facetious way, says, that it stands upon the authority of one Eucherius, bishop of Lyons, and a writer of the fifth century, who had it from Theodorus, another bishop who had the honour and felicity to find the reliques of these martyrs by revelation,|| and perhaps by the smell of the bones! LEGION, THUNDERING, a name given to those Christians who served in the Roman army of Marcus Antoninus, in the second century. The occasion of it was this:-When that emperor was at war with the Marcomanni, his army was enclosed by the enemy, and reduced to the most deplorable condition by the thirst under which they languished in a parched desert. Just at this time they were remarkably relieved by a sudden and unexpected rain. This event was attributed to the Christians, who were supposed to have effected this by their prayers; and the name of the thundering legion was given to them, on account of the thunder and lightning that destroyed the enemy, while the shower revived the fainting Romans. Whether this was really miraculous or not, has been disputed among learned men. They who wish to see what has been said on both sides, may consult Witsius Dissertat. de Legione Fulminatrice, which is subjoined to his Egyptiaca, in defence of this LESSONS, among ecclesiastical miracle; as also, what is alleged writers, are portions of the holy Scripagainst it by Dan Lauroque, in a dis-tures read in churches at the time of Course upon that subject, subjoined to the Adversaria Sacra of Matt. Lauroque, his father. The controversy between Sir Peter King and Mr. Moyle upon this subject is also worthy of attention.

divine service. In the ancient church, reading the Scripture was one part of the service of the catechumen, at which all persons were allowed to be present in order to obtain instruction. The church of England, in the choice LENT, a solemn time of fasting in of lessons, proceeds as follows:- for all the Christian church, observed as a the first lessons on ordinary days, she time of humiliation before Easter. The directs to begin at the beginning of the Romish church, and some of the Pro-year with Genesis, and so continue till testant communion, maintain, that it the books of the Old Testament are was always a fast of forty days, and, as read over, only omitting Chronicles,